[Freddy straightens his suit for a second, and then Kate Jackson appears to his left.]

Kate: Hey, Freddy.

Freddy: Kate, hows it going?

Kate: Well, you know, its not going too bad.

Freddy: Did you talk to Laraine about the, uh, Mrs. Kojak?

Kate: Yeah, wont shave her head.

Freddy: [frustrated] Yeah, well, Gilda will do it.

Kate: Uh, Freddy, I think Id better level with you. Um… I like these people, Im having a lot of fun working with them, and uh… well, you know, theyre like people you can admire, and theyre dedicated to an ideal of artistic freedom, and when I see the way they work, and the sacrifices they make, well, I feel ashamed, you know? They dont have big houses with swimming pools and tennis courts, and they dont have fancy apartments, and big, big limos, and cooks.

Freddy: Really?

Kate: No!

Freddy: Not even John Belushi?

Kate: Oh, JOHN does.

[laughter and applause]

Kate: If you could see the dedication of the others! I mean, you know, Freddy, they do this for NOTHING, cause they wanna make America laugh!

Freddy: [scoffing] Mm-hmm.

Kate: Really, now, after spending this time with them, I just… well, I dont think I can betray them, I really dont, and, uh… [works up her courage] And furthermore, Freddy, I cant go back to Charlies Angels, I cant go back to prime time, Ive got to do something NEW, and something BOLD, and–

[Freddy slaps her across the face.]

Freddy: [points at her] Dont you EVER say that about prime time again!

[subdued laughter]

Kate: Thank you, Freddy, you know… [puts a hand around his neck] You know, for a minute, I really lost control there, didnt I! [She lingers a moment and then turns to go.]

Freddy: Kate!

Kate: I–

[She stops in mid-motion.]

Freddy: [staring into space] Wait a minute.

Kate: What?

Freddy: [passionately] Maybe Im wrong. Maybe IM the one… who lost his head. [presses a fist against his mouth] Something you said got me thinking. You said something about artistic freedom. Perhaps thats important. Perhaps theres a, a place in commercial television for QUALITY, for, for intelligently conceived, well acted, INVENTIVE programming! Programs that arent written for the lowest common denominator! [clenches fist] And NBC could lead the WAY! NBC could be the NETWORK that puts these programs on the air!

[They stare at each other for a moment.]

Freddy and Kate: [in unison] Naaaaaaaaah.

[The band starts to play as the audience applauds and the two talk inaudibly. FADE to black.]

Author: Don Roy King

Don Roy King is directing his fourteenth season of Saturday Night Live. That work has earned him nine Emmys and thirteen nominations. Additionally, he has been nominated for thirteen DGA Awards and won in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. Mr. King is also the creative director of Broadway Worldwide which brings theatrical events to theaters. The company has produced Smokey Joe’s Café; Putting It Together with Carol Burnett; Jekyll & Hyde; and Memphis, all directed by Mr. King. He completed the screen capture of Broadway's Romeo & Juliet in 2013. - LinkedIn View all posts by Don Roy King